The topic of emigration is widely discussed in cinema. This problem is constantly relevant, not only feature films, but documentaries as well are made about it. Reflecting the fears of people who are ready to leave their homeland and go in search of a better life can be shown honestly in documentary films because the person himself tells his own story, the path he has taken, brings his inner emotions to the surface, consequently, it is possible to convey what he has to say to the audience more accurately.
At present, most modern films fall into two categories: commercial films that are made only to make a profit, regardless of genre or content, and the other, films that are made for the love of art. Very rarely do we come across films that are simple, emotional and life-like, ones that awaken the soul. Such film is the documentary by Tamar Bartaia and Giorgi Bartaia, "Good Morning to You! Good Night to Me!" (2021).
In recent decades, especially in documentaries, the topic of emigration and the social problems became popular, problems faced not only by emigrants but also families left behind. For the most part, such films do not have so much a dramatic effect as a poignant social character. Frequently, they show more global issues in which immigrants and local residents are directly involved, although the work mentioned above is not about the difficult journey from the homeland to a foreign country, not about the family left behind, but about the fact that it is possible to be happy and fulfill your dreams in the background of immigration.
The film about a woman, Elga Porchkhidze; she is from a small village in Georgia, who sings in a famous cabaret in Paris where many famous singers performed.
When you leave your homeland, there are two main reasons among many: social problems and career development, doing your favorite work. This film tells us about the latter case (the directors showed it more clearly). They might have had other ideas, but attention is focused less on other things. Consequently, everything else became a secondary, supporting tool to tell the main storyline.
What should have been the final result of the film? To show the severity of emigration or to show that there is something good in this situation too, which makes you feel happy far from your homeland? The main thing to say is still hope, that it is possible to achieve a cherished goal with a lot of work.
The film should have a specific direction and theme in itself. As we know from its synopsis, it should follow Elga's difficult adventure from Georgia to France, but what can we see? We observe a few days of a successful woman, and the main story narration takes a back seat. The main character tells us about her own path but it is so sparse that it is difficult to fully exhaust the topic.
The story seems to be divided into parts at some point. In the beginning, we can see a car driving through the streets of Tbilisi during the New Year, two women are talking in the car. The main character recalls a meeting with Johnny Depp. After that, we can see Elga in Paris already and the main adventure begins from here. Thus, the Tbilisi introduction was probably not necessary at all because if its task was to celebrate Elga and Johnny Depp’s meeting, it is also discussed elsewhere in the film.
Events are developing quite quickly. When one act isn't finished, the narrative jumps into another, complicating it to make sense and tiring to watch. In one episode, Elga tells her story in a cabaret, and suddenly a group of Georgians from a completely different environment enters the shot, where Elga introduces us to some of them, then the camera suddenly returns to the cabaret and the main character continues to tell her story. All this is so intertwined that there is a kind of disruption of order in the end.
The film leaves the impression of a feature film rather than a documentary, as in most episodes it seems that the situations are staged. Elga has thought in advance what to say, how to act, tries to depict the situation better than it is in reality, which slows down the documentary style. The main character does not try to open up to the end, to show her inner feelings, she is not sincere, she speaks in broken French, in each of her words and actions you can feel the pride that she was able to do this, but, at the same time, she seems to avoid remembering the difficult past.
The indispensable merit of the film is the songs, which are used abundantly in the story and so precisely that it covers many flaws and ties the story together to some extent.
It is worth noting the cameraman's work with dark shadows, showing the foggy and lonely environment, which made it easier to understand the inner world of the immigrant. Environment conveys Elga's heartache and homesickness more than words. This also emphasizes the main character’s nightlife. In this case, nightlife is mentioned in a positive context.
Talking to elderly parents on the phone is very emotional. It can be said that this is one of the episodes that evokes emotion. The final scene is also heartbreaking. At the end, we can see two people – Elga, who is returning from work, and the baker, who is just starting work. All this happens early in the morning when the whole city is asleep. These two people symbolize the difficult work of an immigrant.
The film is edited in a mosaic style, jumping from one action to another. This is a good way to create an original and memorable work, although such a move would be justified if the episodes were brought to the end and did not leave the impression of being incomplete.
The film still does not give an answer to the question whether it is possible to be happy in emigration or if all people separated from their homeland are equally miserable. There is no unequivocal answer to this, although the main character mentions one of the newly-arrived immigrants, he was in great difficulty and walked with torn shoes. These and a few other phrases are not enough to fully convey the pain of emigration. In the end, Elga is still happy because she is proud of her job and the people who stand by her. If she had a choice, she would still choose staying awake till dawn and cabaret, as she talks about her creativity throughout the film with bright eyes. This is a means of financial survival and a way of development for her. So, the film is not about how hard it is to be an immigrant, but about how you can live elsewhere like in your own country and do what you love.
Teona Vekua
